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Summary
Laboratory tests check a sample of your blood, urine, or body tissues. A technician or your doctor analyzes the test samples to see if your results fall within the normal range. The tests use a range because what is normal differs from person to person. Many factors affect test results. These include:
- Your sex, age and race
- What you eat and drink
- Medicines you take
- How well you followed pre-test instructions
Your doctor may also compare your results to results from previous tests. Laboratory tests are often part of a routine checkup to look for changes in your health. They also help doctors diagnose medical conditions, plan or evaluate treatments, and monitor diseases.
Specifics
- At-Home Medical Tests (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Differential Diagnosis (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Fasting for a Blood Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- How to Cope with Medical Test Anxiety (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- How to Read Your Pathology Report (College of American Pathologists)
- How You Can Get the Best Results with Home Use Tests (Food and Drug Administration)
- Stool Tests (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Venous Sampling (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- What You Need to Know About Blood Testing (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Videos and Tutorials
- Getting a Urine Test (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Reading Your Pathology Report (College of American Pathologists)
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Hematologic Tests (National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Urinalysis (National Institutes of Health)
Reference Desk
- Home Use Tests: Glossary (Food and Drug Administration)
Find an Expert
- Accredited Laboratory and Biorepository Directory (College of American Pathologists)
Children
- Basic Blood Chemistry Tests (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)
- Biobanks (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Blood Culture (Nemours Foundation)
- Collecting a Stool Sample for Testing (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Getting a Blood Test (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)
- How to Prepare Your Child for a Lab Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Types of Blood Tests (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)